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The changes below have taken effect, and this post is no longer being updated. Here is our archive of major updates from card issuers and loyalty programs.
Unfortunately, negative changes in the points and miles world are all too common. This week, U.S. Bank announced upcoming changes to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, and they bend towards the negative.
Starting April 14, 2025, the Altitude Go will see cuts to its earning potential — which has long been its standout feature — and the implementation of a new points expiration policy. Let’s dive into the details.
Changes Coming to the Altitude Go Card
U.S. Bank to cap the Altitude Go‘s dining rewards
The first major change to the Altitude Go concerns its dining rewards multiplier. Currently, this card earns an impressive 4X points per $1 on dining spend, including delivery and takeout — with no caps. That's pretty good for a card with an annual fee of $0! But the unlimited portion of this earning rate won't last much longer.
Starting April 14, 2025, the 4X points earning rate will be capped at $2,000 in dining spend per quarter. Any dining purchases beyond that will earn just 1X points per $1.
This change won't make a difference for most cardholders who spend less than $2,000 on dining each quarter. But if you frequently entertain clients, host events, or rack up significant dining expenses, this update could greatly impact your reward-earning potential.
It’s worth noting that other earning categories on the card will remain unchanged. You’ll still earn:
- 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations, and on streaming services
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases
As a reminder, this card earns U.S. Bank Altitude points, which don’t transfer to airline or hotel loyalty programs. Instead, points can be redeemed at 1 cent apiece for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Dining & Restaurants
Points expire now, too
The bad news doesn’t stop there. U.S. Bank has announced that starting April 14, 2025, points will expire “if there is no reward, purchase, or balance activity on your account for 12 consecutive statement cycles.”
For U.S. Bank cardholders who use their cards regularly, this change won't be an issue. But if you’ve “sock drawered” this card, this policy is something to be mindful of.
It’s worth noting that this new policy won't affect points earned before April 14. Only points earned on or after April 14 will be subject to expiration due to inactivity.
Final Thoughts
These are not great changes, but lucrative and uncapped rewards like this rarely last in the points and miles world. That’s because savvy individuals often maximize rewards for a particular offer, costing the bank significant money. That is potentially what has happened here as well.
By capping rewards each quarter, U.S. Bank can preserve the core benefit of the Altitude Go while trimming what it spends on the rewards program.
As a gentle reminder, these changes take effect on April 14, 2025, so now is a good time to evaluate your wallet to see how the Altitude Go (and other U.S. Bank cards in general) fit into your long-term credit card strategy.
- 4X points on takeout, food delivery and dining (on up to $2,000 spent each quarter)
- 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations, and on streaming services
- 1 point on all other eligible purchases
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